CINCINNATI, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bearcats have accepted an invitation to play the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.
The bowl game between Cincinnati (9-3) and Southern Mississippi (7-5) is scheduled for Dec. 22.
"I am excited for our program to be going to bowl games in back-to-back years," Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly said. "After a 9-3 season, this group deserves an opportunity to play one more game. I am happy to be going to Birmingham. We have a shot at 10 wins and to make our mark in UC history."
The all-time series between Cincinnati and Southern Mississippi is 7-7 but they haven't played each other since 2004.
Cincinnati is 5-4 overall in its bowl appearances, including a win in the International Bowl after last season. Southern Mississippi is 8-9 in its bowl history and defeated Ohio in last year's GMAC Bowl.
It will be the second time the Papajohns.com Bowl will be played. South Florida beat East Carolina last year in the first bowl.
